Page:Football, the Rugby game.djvu/71

Rh 38. must be a drop kick, and from not more than twenty-five yards outside the kicker's goal-line; if the ball when kicked out pitch in touch, the opposite side may claim to have it kicked-off again. If the kick be not a drop-kick, or if the kick be from more than twenty-five yards outside the kicker's goal-line, or if the kicker's side be not behind the ball when kicked-out, the Referee shall, on a claim by the opposite side, order the ball to be scrummaged at a spot twenty-five yards from the kicker's goal-line, and equidistant from both the touch-lines; and the opposite side may not obstruct such kicker within twenty-five yards of his own goal-line.

39. A side having touched the ball down in their opponents' goal, shall try at goal by a place-kick in the following manner: One of the players shall bring it up to the goal-line in a straight line (parallel to the touch lines) from the spot where it was touched-down, and thence walk out with it in a line parallel to the touch-lines such distance as he thinks proper, and there place it for another of his side to kick.

40. The defending side may charge as soon as the ball touches the ground, but if any of them do charge before the ball touches the ground, the Referee may, provided the kicker has not taken his kick, and then only on a claim by the kicker's side, disallow the charge, and the kicker's side must remain behind the ball until the try has been decided. If a goal be kicked, the game shall proceed, as provided in Law 36, but if a goal be not kicked, or if the bringer-out allow any of his side to touch the ball before it has been kicked, the ball shall be dead forthwith, and the game shall proceed by a kick-out, as provided in Law 38.

41., i.e. rushing forward to kick the ball or tackle a player, is lawful for the opposite side in all cases of a place-kick after a fair catch or upon a try at goal, immediately the ball touches or is placed on the ground; and in case of a drop kick or punt after a fair catch, as soon as the player having the ball commences to run or offers to kick, or the ball has touched the ground; but he may always draw back, and unless he has dropped the ball or actually touched it with his foot, they must again retire to his mark. (see Law 43). But if any of the opposite side do charge before the player having the ball commences to run, or offers to kick, or the ball has touched the ground, the Referee may, provided the kicker has not taken his kick, and then only on a claim by the opposite side, disallow the charge. Except in a scrummage, it is not lawful for